Miss Hokusai (2015) Review

The creation of art, and why we connect with it, is truly a wonderful thing. Everyone views art differently, and what I like about a piece may be the very reason you dislike it. Miss Hokusai is not strictly about how people consume art; it’s more about living in the shadow of a famous artist and how that affects one’s artistic abilities. It also examines the impact that art has on the artist’s household. Miss Hokusai is a beautiful film that can feel segmented at times, yet when the credits rolled, I couldn’t help but feel truly captivated by it.

The film follows O-Ei in 1814 Edo. She is the eldest daughter of the famous artist Tetsuzo Hokusai. O-Ei creates works of art, often unsigned, so that she and her father can fulfill orders as needed. However, no matter how skilled an artist she is, she is always compared to her father and chastised by him for being overly confident in her abilities. We see how their art affects different people, as well as the relationship between O-Ei and her half-sister, O-Nao, who was born blind.

O-Ei is frequently praised as an incredible artist. Many people tell her that her work sures that of her contemporaries, yet it never achieves the same success or even has a negative impact on some. This is attributed to the lack of emotion conveyed in her art. We see this idea reflected in the film as a whole. Films we connect with emotionally are far more interesting and engaging than those that are technical marvels but lack personal expression. This commentary gives Miss Hokusai a meta quality, as each viewer’s experience with the film will be unique.

The film also explores the relationship between O-Ei and her half-sister, O-Nao. Tetsuzo is estranged from O-Nao because she is blind. It’s explained that he has a fear of death and refuses to let it claim him. O-Nao represents death to Tetsuzo—not only because he fears the ill and suffering but also because he cannot connect with her, as she cannot see his art. This implies that the only way he knows how to connect with people is through his work. By contrast, O-Ei connects with O-Nao simply as her sister, valuing life beyond just art. Although O-Nao is blind, she still plays in the snow with other children and finds joy in life.

What I think everyone can appreciate, however, is the film’s generosity. From the way it recreates famous Hokusai paintings in daily life to the incredible tracking shot of O-Ei running to be by her sister’s side, Production I.G. has crafted a dynamic and wonderful piece of art that looks stunning in every frame.

There are some unique creative choices in the film, notably its music. Though it’s a period piece, the film frequently forgoes period-accurate songs in favor of contemporary, rock-inspired tracks. This choice is reminiscent of Inu-oh, and the contrast between period and modern style works effectively. Another distinctive choice is the film’s episodic structure, which occasionally results in scenes that don’t always connect in the most organic way.

Beautifully animated and poignantly exploring the themes of art and life, Miss Hokusai is a great work that embraces the anime genre to its fullest.